#170: A Brief History of Scientology

It is, by some standards, the most successful modern religion.

Discover how Scientology went from the pseudo-medical ideas of an out-of-luck science fiction writer to a religion that counts some of the world's most famous film stars among its believers.

• The early life of L. Ron Hubbard
• Discovering a talent as a science fiction writer
• L. Ron Hubbard's naval career
• Moving to Los Angeles and developing a self-help system
• The publication of Dianetics, a book that contained "more promises and less evidence per page than any publication since the invention of printing"
• L. Ron Hubbard's theory about how the brain worked
• Turning Dianetics into a religion
• Charging large amounts of money to believers
• Making extravagant purchases all over the world
• Scientology's legal troubles
• Launching the Sea Org
• Adding to the doctrine of Scientology
• The disappearance and death of L. Ron Hubbard
• David Miscavige: a new leader arises
• How many Scientologists are there?
• Advertising at The Super Bowl
• Hollywood Scientologists: Tom Cruise & John Travolta
• Criticisms of Scientology
• Scientology's tax battle in the United States
• What actually is a religion?

Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/scientology

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